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A child's roles and relationships
Sometimes a child can take on carer roles when their parent has a mental health issue. Sometimes these roles and responsibilities are beyond what a child’s age and experience equips them to do.
Tasks that a child may assume include:
- helping a parent take medication
- anticipating and managing stressful situations for their parent
- caring for younger siblings
- shopping, cooking and cleaning
- paying bills and managing budgets
- providing emotional support for their parent
- calling police, ambulance, extended family or other supports for the parent
- watching over their parent to stop them hurting or killing themselves.
Sometimes a child’s sense of pride and identity is linked to the way they are caring for their family. Ensure this is acknowledged and valued rather than diminished and devalued. It may be more helpful for you to work together with the family to find ways to make any necessary changes. Help them to connect with family, community and support services. Support the child to connect with other young carers: Carers QLD Young Carers Support Services.
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